Fred’s cheeks visibly pinked at the comment, smiling playfully. If he hadn’t warmed up to Cecil yet, he did now. He was clearly a much different case to the stuffy scientist. Fred could only hope the kindness was skin deep.
“Well, I’d actually hit a road block until now, but I think I might have found a new subject that might help flip my research upside down. Or whatever it is these egg-heads say.” He relented the act, chuckling and scratching at the back of his head.
“I mean… sure, if y’want,” he replied, missing the point entirely. His smile faltered, the scratching turning from bashful to confused. “Scientists actually have really nice quarters on this base, mine are kinda basic, but I’d be happy to give you a tour of the base if you like. So long as you make yourself look like you belong, I can pretend you’re a new recruit.”
Following the direction of the nod, Fred walked softly to the puppy beds, squatting next to them and running his hand over a few of the more stable pups. “Damn, you beat me to it! I was gonna let Black Jack play with them, so long as he wasn’t too rough. They been fed an’ watered? Any of them seem more outta sorts than normal?” He paused for breath, then glanced back to Cecil. “Sorry, I’m babblin’. So are you a model, a film star of a breeder?” he asked, switching to pat the Yamper with a little more vigour than he treated the babies with.
Ƹ̵̡ ⁑ ☕ ⁑ Ʒ Cecil couldn’t help himself but to chuckle. This was so much more fun than the stuffy dinners he’d usually be having around now, either over business or one of the boring suitors his Grandfather attempted to set him up with. The man meant well, but his taste in men was . . . lacking. Understandably so, but at least he was trying.
❝I think you did quite well in the role. Between how I hear my cousin speak, and some of the breeders, you were quite convincing. Although I would be happy to help you continue that line of study, it has been fun thus far after all.❞
His smile remained unfaltering. ❝I would adore a tour. It’s been dull being kept in here . . . and playing dress-up is nothing new to me. I’ll dress however you think I’d need to in order to blend in, or, alternatively we could test my familial resemblance. If I let my hair down it is roughly the same length as Sebastian’s, and I could borrow some of his clothes. Unfortunately he has the prettier purple eyes . . . but maybe no one will notice.❞ As uncomfortable as dressing down like that would be, Cecil figured it could be worth it in the end.
Watching Fred make his way over to the pups, he stayed silent as he crouched to check on them. He could tell why Sebastian trusted him with the young canines, he seemed to care for them quite a bit. ❝Black Jack? I assume he’s one of your pokemon?❞ Cecil smiled softly. One of his favorite things was to listen to people speak of something they were passionate about, and he seemed to care for his role as puppy-sitter. ❝You don’t need to apologize. I did try to give them something to eat, but they were more interested in my little friend there, so once they wake up they could likely do for some food. Other than that, they seemed to be in good shape. AS for me, I am a model, yes. Though acting does sound like fun. My Grandfather owns a breeding business, and my Grandmother a line of boutiques. Might come across a bit surprising considering my cousin, although he did choose his father over us and vanished for the last ten or so years . . . ❞
